The Garden and the Jungle
An award-winning French journalist's far-ranging critique of Europe's betrayal of universal values and equal rights as war and right-wing populism spread worldwide, with a new introduction for U.S. readers. "Europe is a garden...It is the best combination of political freedom, economic prosperity, and social cohesion that the humankind has been able to build...Most of the rest of the world is a jungle, and the jungle could invade the garden." This is how Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, characterized the situation in 2022, several months after Russia's invasion of Ukraine and one year before Israel's war against Gaza. Europe has a singular image of itself and of the world. It persists in thinking of itself as the cradle of civilization, the incarnation of good and justice, threatened by a global environment where savagery, darkness, and evil reign. Clinging to this fantasy inherited from a colonial past, it is lost and misguided, turning its back on the values of humanism and equality to which it nevertheless claims to adhere. As long as Europe and, with it, the political West, have not renounced their desire for power, there will unite against them the resentment of all the peoples who have had the bitter experience of their domination over the last five centuries. Because the "jungle" is Europe's own creation, produced by the blindness of conquest and exploitation. This powerful essay is an invitation to rebuild a Europe that is truly concerned about the fragility of the world and of life, with an acute awareness of the perils that threaten humanity.
Global Exploration of Separatism
"Global Exploration of Separatism" explores contemporary separatist movements, offering readers a nuanced understanding of the causes, manifestations, and implications of struggles for autonomy and independence across the globe. This insightful work dives into the historical roots, geopolitical dynamics, and socio-cultural factors that fuel the complexities of separatism in our interconnected world. The book's exploration extends beyond a mere cataloging of separatist movements; it serves as a thoughtful analysis that unravels the underlying motivations and grievances that propel communities to seek selfdetermination. The author navigates through diverse case studies, examining the unique contexts that define each separatist struggle and the impact of these movements on regional and global stability. The book not only scrutinizes the political dimensions of separatism but also explores the economic, cultural, and historical factors that contribute to the emergence and sustenance of such movements. The author adopts an interdisciplinary lens, incorporating political science, history, sociology, and international relations to provide readers with a holistic perspective. Moreover, the book critically assesses the responses of governments, international organizations, and the global community to separatist movements. It grapples with the ethical and legal dilemmas surrounding the right to self-determination, shedding light on the intricate balance between national sovereignty and the aspirations of sub-national entities. It stands as an invaluable resource for those seeking a deeper understanding of the forces that shape the geopolitical landscape and the quest for autonomy in our interconnected world.
Civilized Civil War
"Civilized Civil War" is a chilling exploration of the vulnerabilities lurking within modern Western democracies. Drawing on his extensive background in military intelligence and national security, Aaron Hirschi presents a meticulously crafted scenario of how a foreign power - implicitly China - could orchestrate internal conflict in a developed nation without firing a single shot. This groundbreaking analysis delves deep into the strategies and tactics of both the foreign-backed elites (FBE) seeking to subvert democracy and the national resistance forces (NRF) fighting to preserve it. Hirschi's unique insight brings to life the shadowy world of 5th Gradient Warfare, where battles are fought through information manipulation, economic sabotage, and social engineering rather than traditional military confrontation. But "Civilized Civil War" is more than just a hypothetical war game. It serves as a stark wake-up call, highlighting real-world vulnerabilities in our energy policies, education systems, and media landscapes that could be exploited by adversaries. Hirschi challenges readers to reconsider long-held assumptions about governance, international cooperation, and the very nature of modern conflict. As tensions between China and the West continue to escalate, this book provides crucial insight into the potential battlegrounds of the future. It is essential reading for policymakers, military strategists, and concerned citizens alike - anyone who seeks to understand and defend against the invisible threats to our democratic way of life.
The Sword of Freedom
Israel has always won. They are winning now. And they must always win in the future.In The Sword of Freedom, former Mossad chief Yossi Cohen pulls back the curtain on Israel's success in the face of never-ending war. Cohen has played a pivotal role in shaping Israel's modern defense strategy. Blending personal stories and the nation's history, he offers a rare glimpse into how Israel has defied existential threats and built a cutting-edge defense system. Now, he reveals how Israel always finds a way to win, as well as: - The secret to Israel's success as a nation and military power- The future of Gaza and Hamas- What it takes to be in the Mossad- The mistakes Westerners make when they look at the Middle East- How Mossad helps counter terrorism around the world- How the art of spycraft has changed in the advent of AI and social media - What Donald Trump's second presidency means for IsraelIn today's volatile world Israel must remain adaptable and resolute to survive. Cohen explores how Israel achieves this: by questioning all intelligence, prioritizing human ingenuity, cooperating with other countries (even ones you might not expect), and ensuring enemies fear defeat before battles begin. As David Ben-Gurion observed, "History is not written, it is created." From thrilling covert operations to strategies that safeguard borders, The Sword of Free-dom demonstrates how Israel's transformation from a vulnerable state to a global power was no accident.
Why we are at war
Step into a pivotal moment in American history with "Why We Are at War: Messages to the Congress, January to April 1917." This powerful collection of wartime communication reveals President Woodrow Wilson's compelling arguments for U.S. involvement in World War I, capturing the urgency and complexity of a nation on the brink of transformation. Restored and republished by Alpha Editions after decades out of print, this edition is not merely a reprint; it s a collector s item and a cultural treasure, meticulously crafted for today s and future generations. Delve into the heart of political rhetoric as Wilson addresses Congress with passion and conviction, offering insight into the motivations that shaped a nation s destiny. This book stands as a unique historical document, providing readers with an intimate look at the debates and decisions that defined American involvement in the Great War. Whether you are a casual reader drawn to the themes of courage and duty or a classic literature collector seeking to enrich your library, this edition serves as both an educational resource and a tribute to the resilience of the human spirit. Don't miss your chance to own this essential piece of American history, a testament to the power of words in times of crisis. Discover the legacy of "Why We Are at War" and witness the echoes of the past resonate in our present.
The Age of Change
An approachable guide to the political, social, and demographic changes happening in Africa and why they matter for the rest of the world. Africa is undergoing an astounding transformation that will usher in a new era of political volatility and experimentation in the coming years. The region is in the midst of a historically unprecedented demographic surge that has skewed the median age in most countries to below twenty years old. This demographic moment coincides with three factors likely to amplify the political agendas of African youth: rapid urbanization, dramatically increased digital connectivity, and increasing recognition that old political narratives are no longer fit for purpose. Michelle D. Gavin argues that these clear trends will result in an increase in political volatility. Anti-government movements will continue to find new expression, incumbents will be more vulnerable, honeymoon periods for new leaders will be shorter, and transfers of power and leadership will be more frequent. Citizens frustrated by the status quo will show more willingness to experiment with different forms of government and different external partnerships, all with significant implications for those hoping for a global democratic resurgence. This book explores growing dissatisfaction and desire for change as the political through line emerging on a diverse continent, and illuminates some of the frustrated, defiant, and often humorous pan-African political conversations underway among young, politically engaged populations. What is coming will be dramatically different from the period of political stagnation that has characterized the past two decades in the region, and that also means that major powers like the United States, Russia, and China that are competing for influence in the region will have to change the way they do business.
The Eu's Strategic Dilemma in the Ukraine War
As the war in Ukraine enters its fourth year, this book critically examines the strategies employed by the European Union (EU) and the United States (US) in their support of Ukraine. It examines how sanctions, military aid, and diplomacy have shaped the conflict and considers whether these efforts are falling short. Through political, economic, and strategic analysis, it explores the EU's internal divisions, the changing role of US leadership under a second Trump administration, and the increasing risk of Ukraine being marginalised in global negotiations. The author questions whether the EU's reliance on sanctions and fragmented military support has weakened its own position more than that of Russia. Providing a realist perspective on the war's broader geopolitical consequences and the uncertain future of European security, this book challenges dominant narratives.
Syria and Lebanon
At the crossroads of war and diplomacy, Syria and Lebanon hold the keys to regional peace-or regional disaster.The interconnected histories of Syria and Lebanon have always formed a complex tapestry of alliances, conflicts, and shared cultural heritage. However, following recent political upheavals, both nations find themselves at the centre of a precarious and highly volatile regional landscape.This analysis delves into the intricate relationship between Syria and Lebanon, exploring how fragile political orders in both countries could spark broader regional conflicts affecting the entire Middle East. Syria's devastating civil war, beginning in 2011, has drawn numerous external actors-Russia, Iran, Turkey, the United States, Israel, and Gulf states-transforming the country into a dangerous arena for great power competition.Lebanon's precarious sectarian power-sharing system faces unprecedented challenges. The catastrophic 2020 Beirut port explosion, economic collapse, and governance failures have weakened state institutions, creating vacuums filled by non-state actors, most notably Hezbollah. This dual identity as both Lebanese political party and Iranian-aligned armed group creates particular regional complications.The Israel-Hezbollah dynamic represents perhaps the most dangerous potential trigger for wider conflict. Cross-border exchanges could rapidly escalate into full-scale warfare involving not just Lebanon and Israel, but potentially Iran and its regional proxies across multiple theatres.Additional spillover mechanisms include massive refugee movements, water security disputes, economic interconnections, and the potential for sectarian conflicts to ignite broader Sunni-Shia confrontations with Iran and Saudi Arabia as primary patrons.Understanding these dynamics requires recognising that Syria and Lebanon function less as traditional nation-states and more as complex battlegrounds where local, regional, and international interests collide. The essay concludes with three future scenarios, examining possible resolutions through international diplomacy and reconstruction strategies whilst addressing constraints preventing progress. Any comprehensive approach to regional stability must tackle immediate security concerns alongside underlying governance failures, economic challenges, and sectarian tensions fuelling conflict.
The Prince
"Everyone sees what you seem to be, few know what you really are; and those few do not dare take a stand against the general opinion." - Machiavelli, The Prince."Contemporary Americans, perhaps more than anyone else, could learn a lesson or two from Machiavelli." - John T. Scott, Robert Zaretsky and Michael Gonchar, The New York Times. "Machiavelli's The Prince is one of those rare brain-children with which all respectable minds claim acquaintance." -- Lloyd Eshleman, The New York Times."The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him." - Machiavelli, The Prince."His city's tempestuous history taught Machiavelli a lesson he tries to convey to future readers: that no one man can overpower a free people unless they let him." - Erica Benner, The Guardian."Machiavelli is often portrayed as the first honest teacher of dishonest politics." - Erica Benner, The Guardian.The Prince is a manual for those who wish to win and keep power. Plato and Aristotle viewed politics as an aspect of ethics. They described an ideal state and presumed that a good leader would aim to create an ideal state, and that the pursuit of virtue would lead to the success of the leader and the state. Niccol簷 Machiavelli set aside political ideals and went straight to the truth of how things really work. For him, virtue was the set of characteristics that lead to success. Machiavelli had read widely on the military and political history of Rome, Greece, and Persia, and, from his position as second chancellor of the Florentine Republic, in charge of diplomacy and warfare, he observed the fortunes of the warring Italian states and their leaders. Florence was caught between the much greater powers of Milan, Venice and Rome, and relied more on diplomatic strategy than military strength for its security.Machiavelli's careful, concise analysis of human nature over the ages has made The Prince as important in political science as Plato's Republic and Thomas More's Utopia, and it deserves a careful reading.Niccol簷 Machiavelli (1469-1527) was an Italian Renaissance political philosopher and statesman, secretary of the Florentine republic. His most famous work is The Prince. However, his writing includes the lengthy Discourses on Livy, and works of poetry, fiction, and drama. Machiavelli is regarded as the first political scientist.This is a beautiful hardcover edition.
The Undulating Capacity of the State
This Element weaves together literatures on autochthony and belonging and on African urbanism to shed new light on the ability of the African state to undertake development interventions in some of the most important urban centers on the continent. It explains variations in levels of trust in the African state that shape neighborhoods' responses to states' development interventions. Focusing on the Senegalese state's construction of the VDN 2 highway on the outskirts of the capital, Dakar, the author argues that in major African cities with colonial origins, whether neighborhoods project themselves as 'autochthonous' or 'migrant' communities shapes general attitudes toward the state and influences the capacity of the state to carry out development interventions in these areas. In these cities, states are more likely to successfully intervene in neighborhoods dominated by 'new' migrants to the city than in those neighborhoods that portray themselves as 'autochthones' of these cities.
Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Youth Entrepreneurship
This open access book analyzes the limitations of top-down intervention programs designed by the state to address the problem of unemployment among marginalized communities in Africa and foregrounds the centrality of IKS in fostering entrepreneurship. Samuel Ojo Oloruntoba, Inocent Moyo, and Lethiwe Zondo examine the solutions to these problems within the ongoing debate on decolonization of knowledge and epistemic justice. The contributors argue that when the voices of the marginalized communities are taken into consideration in the design of employment and entrepreneurship policies, such policies would be more effective, affirming the agency and rights within these communities. Using case studies and theoretical research, this book investigates how a better engagement with marginalized communities and indigenous knowledges in the design of entrepreneurship and employment policies could foster more positive outcomes in Africa. This book recenters the voices of Indigenous youth within entrepreneurship programs to highlight the interests, priorities, and challenges of these communities. This edited volume was produced in the context of the African Indigenous Knowledge Research Network (AIKRN) in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation. This was a two-year initiative that ran between 2023 and 2025 to uncover and promote sustainable and scalable opportunities for youth employment grounded in Indigenous African knowledge systems and values. The views expressed do not necessarily represent those of the Mastercard Foundation, its staff, or its Board of Directors. The ebook editions of this book are available open access under a CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 licence on bloomsburycollections.com. Open access provided in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation.
Mediating Gender in African Social Media
Through African case studies, this book explores how gender and sexuality are articulated on social media. While the representation of gender in mainstream media has been studied for many decades, this book fills a gap by focusing on social media platforms like Facebook, X, Instagram, and Tik Tok, and examining representation, commodification, and sexuality on these platforms. The contributors hold a mirror to society and reflect on the issues in our current world of empowerment, where sexuality and gender preferences are respected, and sexual rights are protected by constitutions in progressive democracies. Through their research, Shepherd Mpofu, Kealeboga Aiseng, and the contributors strive to alter the male gaze, commercial benefits of commodification, and African culture as benefited and influenced by patriarchal societies.
Speaking of Trust
This open access book examines the often overlooked entanglements and affinities between emerging models of formal and informal finance and welfare with longer-running religious structures and concerns. In Kenya, mutual aid has long mediated microcredit contracts and the social contract between citizens and the state. In effect, mutual aid has been organized in ways that contributed to mistrust in financial and state institutions as well as among families and neighbours. Nevertheless, diverse mutual aid arrangements have thrived and proliferated, not least because collaborating parties actively recognize the influence of invisible third parties such as God or Satan. The resulting forms of trust and mistrust range from the contractual to the mutual and everything in-between. Together, they highlight how speaking of trust in a language of religious faith sustains possibilities for contingency, creativity, and change alongside the reproduction of pre-existing inequalities and moral prejudices. The ebook editions of this book are available open access under a CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 licence on bloomsburycollections.com. Open access was funded by UKRI.
Identity Formation within Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Drawing from institutional research, this book advocates for the ongoing importance of HBCUs and shows how their curriculum, programming, and self-understanding all point to education as a strategy for enhancing the whole person.Over the years, historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) have played a significant role in the formation of Black identity in a society that struggles to appreciate difference. Bringing the vitality of these institutions to a larger public, high profile donors and advocates have served to safeguard the ongoing necessity of what HBCUs represent. Drawing on scholars from various disciplinary backgrounds, Anthony B. Pinn and the contributors explore the intersections of race and higher education through the lens of self-awareness and community awareness. The chapters tackle areas such as how HBCUs have handled focusing on (or not focusing on) Black history and Black cultural production in their courses, identity formation of international students at HBCUs, HBCUs contribution to identity formation in a global context-promoting Pan-Africanism, and how HBCUs promote healthy identity formation for Black students. Through institutional research, this book provides a uniquely layered and historical sensitive discussion of how HBCUs developed and their relationship to issues of Blackness and personhood.
Kwame Nkrumah's Quest for Restoration
Examining Kwame Nkrumah's time in exile, Tunde Adeleke challenges existing and popular understandings of Nkrumah's ideas and struggles. In Kwame Nkrumah's Quest for Restoration: Nkrumaism and Pan-Africanism in Exile Tunde Adeleke examines Kwame Nkrumah's life and the six years he spent in exile in Conakry, Guinea, exploring the extraordinary efforts and resources he invested on attempts to return and regain political power. Adeleke contends that Nkrumah's overthrow and exile compelled him to reimagine, revise, and fundamentally alter the essence of Pan-Africanism. This book shows how Nkurmah spearheaded the Pan-Africanist movement for greater continental unification, deviating from some of the essential values and principles of Pan-Africanism. His time in exile exposed a personality in sharp contrast to the consummate Pan-Africanist memorialized in Black Nationalist discourses. Through textual analysis of Nkrumah's letters and political writings, Adeleke argues that Nkrumah's fundamental change and redirection on Pan-Africanism not only shaped the movement's new purpose but also impacted Ghana.
Putin's Strategic Culture, Climate Crisis, and Power Transition
This book offers a new perspective on the security policy of Russia, linking the Ukraine war with its climate policy and Putin's strategic culture.It offers an analysis of Russian strategic culture, Putin's strategic culture and operational code, as well as "Putinism" being the mental underpinning of Kremlin practices at home and abroad. The volume also addresses Russia's evolution during Putin's years in power and reflects upon Russia's global standing, for example, with respect to China. The work stresses the dialectics between Russia's ideational geopolitics and its climate policy and energy geo-economics, employing a broad approach to understanding security. A secondary analytical concern of the book is the implications and options of Putin's code for European security and world order. The book offers a synthesis of various fields of research and draws on key works by other scholars to offer an overview of the evolving transition of the Russian state into climate denial and militarism.This book will be of much interest to students of Russian security policy, strategic culture, and international relations.
The Future of the Occupation of the Palestinian Territories After Gaza
This open access book outlines four scenarios for the future of Israeli occupation of the Palestinian Territories as a broad canvas on which the interests, roles and perspectives of the key stakeholders involved in occupation are subsequently painted. An indirect result of 58 years of Israeli occupation of the Palestinian Territories, the Hamas attack on Israel of 7 October 2023 and the ensuing Israeli military campaign have greatly worsened Palestinian security in the short term, and Israeli security in the long term. Durable prospects for achieving reconciliation and peace are now shrouded in uncertainty, as political forces and views on both sides are likely to polarize and radicalize even further. October 7 and its aftermath have also introduced new uncertainties about the future nature of Israeli annexation and the modalities as well as extent of Palestinian resistance. Old frames have lost much of their validity, such as the Oslo agreements or even the logic underpinning security cooperation between the Palestinian Authority and the Israeli military. The book aims to improve our understanding of the post-October 7 context of occupation and the initiatives required to end it in the future. Ultimately, the book's intention is to shake up complacent policies and debates about the occupation of the Palestinian Territories by providing a more realistic basis for both reflection and action. While short-form analysis (e.g. blogs, essays and briefs) of October 7 and the ensuing events have proliferated, there has been little to no comprehensive analysis of the significance of these events for the future of occupation. Using the method of scenario planning to develop an analytical baseline, the added value of this book is that it offers a multi-dimensional consideration of this question both through the range of stakeholders it covers and the variety of its authors with respect to their research focus and perspective.
Kenneth Waltz
Kenneth Waltz (1924-2013) is perhaps the most enduringly influential figure in international relations theory of the second half of the twentieth century. He is considered the father of the structural-realist or neorealist school, and his views on core questions, such as the causes of war and the structure of the international system, are foundational to the field today and likely will remain so for decades to come. Waltz's writings on both theoretical and policy-related topics, from the balance of power to the spread of nuclear weapons, continue to fuel debate. This book is a groundbreaking intellectual biography of Kenneth Waltz, shedding new light on the development and significance of his key contributions. Paul R. Viotti draws on extensive, candid interviews with Waltz as well as Waltz's personal files and archival research to provide a nuanced account of the great scholar's life and thought. He traces the intellectual sources and personal experiences that shaped Waltz's work, including an intense Lutheran upbringing; service in World War II and the Korean War; and the academic environments of Oberlin College, Columbia University, and the University of California, Berkeley. Viotti examines the key influences on Waltz's major works, Man, the State, and War and Theory of International Politics, and analyzes their distinctive insights. Engaging with the views of Waltz's critics and featuring reminiscences from his colleagues, this book is a compelling portrait of an intellectual titan.
A Field Guide to Power
Forge your path to power. Learn the lessons of history's most formidable leaders-from Augustus Caesar to Angela Merkel-distilled into 23 Iron Laws.This is not a book of gentle suggestions. It is a practical and ruthless field guide to the fundamental principles of power. The book demystifies the arts of self-mastery, strategic alliances, narrative control, and conflict, providing a clear and unflinching toolkit for anyone determined to rise.Whether on the battlefield, in the boardroom, or in the political arena, these laws have shaped the destinies of empires and individuals. Master them, and you can master the game itself. This field guide will teach you to build unshakable authority, navigate complex hierarchies, and forge a legacy that endures. Seize this knowledge and learn to shape the world, rather than be shaped by it.
The Undulating Capacity of the State
This Element weaves together literatures on autochthony and belonging and on African urbanism to shed new light on the ability of the African state to undertake development interventions in some of the most important urban centers on the continent. It explains variations in levels of trust in the African state that shape neighborhoods' responses to states' development interventions. Focusing on the Senegalese state's construction of the VDN 2 highway on the outskirts of the capital, Dakar, the author argues that in major African cities with colonial origins, whether neighborhoods project themselves as 'autochthonous' or 'migrant' communities shapes general attitudes toward the state and influences the capacity of the state to carry out development interventions in these areas. In these cities, states are more likely to successfully intervene in neighborhoods dominated by 'new' migrants to the city than in those neighborhoods that portray themselves as 'autochthones' of these cities.
China's Assertive Posturing in the Indo-Pacific & Prospects for Indo-ASEAN Collaboration
The book unravels the Southeast Asian outlook on China's pursuits in the Indo-Pacific Region (IOR). It is organised into two thematic sections: the first addresses the Southeast Asian perspective on China's maritime and economic ambitions, and the second investigates India-ASEAN cooperation in the Indo-Pacific's security ecosystem.For this purpose, the volume brings together expert contributions from the Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, and Malaysia, providing a multifaceted analysis of Southeast Asia's China dilemma from economic, defense, and security vantage points.With ASEAN becoming a pertinent investment destination, it becomes significant to study the broader implications of ASEAN states bilateral and multilateral trade dynamics. To achieve this objective, the book uses a data-driven analysis to uncover the latest developments and patterns in ASEAN trade. Further, in the era of hybrid warfare with the South China Sea becoming a recurring hotspot and Philippines the most threatened, the book addresses various issues concerning China's maritime militia, submarine patrols, food and economic security of ASEAN states by studying affected States' challenges and policy responses. Further, with Southeast Asia being India's extended neighbourhood, the volume illuminates the evolving India-ASEAN relationship, focusing on shared interests and emerging complexities.
India in Pursuit of Hypersonic Flight
India's Pursuit in Hypersonic Flight takes readers on an exhilarating journey from humanity's first encounters with high-speed motion to the groundbreaking advancements expected in the coming decades. Covering a vast spectrum of hypersonic technology, this book is designed for both experts and curious minds alike-requiring no prior knowledge to appreciate its insights. Complex scientific concepts are elegantly simplified, making them accessible without losing their depth and significance. Presented in a seamless chronological flow, the narrative captivates readers, building intrigue with every chapter. By the end, one is not only well-versed in hypersonic technology but also equipped to engage in thought-provoking discussions on its future applications. A must-read for war strategists, defence professionals, and technology enthusiasts alike!".Air Marshal GS Bedi (Retd) was commissioned as a Fighter Pilot in June 1984. He has over 3700 hours of accident free flying on MiG 21 and Mirage - 2000 aircraft. He was awarded Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) in the Kargil conflict. GS Bedi is a graduate of the Defence Services Staff College Wellington and an alumni of the National Defence College, New Delhi. He has commanded a Fighter Squadron and a front line Fighter Base.He has served in many prestigious appointments, like the Air Adviser at the High Commission of India, London, Air Officer Commanding Jammu & Kashmir, Assistant Chief of the Air Staff Operations (Offensive) and Personnel (Officers). He was the Senior Air Staff Officer of two operational Commands and the Director General (Inspection and Safety) at Air HQ from where he retired on 30 April 2022.
BBIN-A Post-SAARC Phenomenon
BBIN-A Post-SAARC Phenomenon: Unlocking the Potential for Energy Cooperation offers a timely and incisive analysis of sub-regionalism in South Asia through the lens of energy diplomacy and regional integration. As SAARC remains hindered by geopolitical constraints, this book positions the BBIN framework as a strategic and action-oriented alternative for fostering connectivity, economic interdependence, and energy security. Drawing from robust field research, empirical data, and in-depth interviews with regional experts and policymakers, the book presents a compelling case for energy cooperation as the cornerstone of BBIN's success.The study critically examines the institutional, infrastructural, and policy dimensions shaping energy trade in the region, highlighting both opportunities and obstacles. It equips readers with fresh theoretical insights, aids policy analysts in identifying viable frameworks for cooperation, and supports practitioners in designing context-sensitive, cross-border energy strategies. By bridging scholarship and policy through academic depth and practical relevance, the book empowers stakeholders to turn regional aspirations into actionable, impactful outcomes for shaping a more integrated and sustainable South Asia.Dr. Simi Mehta is CEO and Editorial Director, IMPRI Impact and Policy Research Institute, New Delhi. She is also the Academic Director of Oxford Group of Institutions. She holds a PhD in American Studies from the School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), and was a Fulbright Nehru Doctoral Research Fellow at Ohio State University, USA. She holds a Master's Degree from JNU in International Relations. Dr Mehta has served as Assistant Professor in Political Science at Maitreyi College, University of Delhi for over 5 years. She has been a visiting scholar at the Food and Agricultural Organisation, Washington D.C. Liaison Office as well as the Martin Institute of the University of Idaho, USA.
From Taliban to Taliban
Nation and nationhood are complex concepts that include several aspects like geography, shared history and culture, ethnicity, language etc. This book 'From Taliban to Taliban: Contextualizing Nationhood in Afghanistan' examines how the concept of nationhood fits into Afghanistan as a society and as a political entity.The experts contributing to this book have explored the concept of nationhood in Afghanistan from diverse perspectives which range from ethnic fault lines to the governance structure. As the book title suggests, Taliban appears as a central theme. However, Taliban here implies that the tendencies shown by the Taliban, like pursuing religious conservatism and extremism and ethnic supremacy to rule the country, have existed throughout the history of Afghanistan. Various rulers and political dispensations have positioned these as factors binding the nation.Niranjan Marjani is an independent political analyst and researcher based in Vadodara, India, specialising in International Relations and Geopolitics. He collaborates with Indian and international publications and think tanks. He has written over 300 opinion/analytical articles. He has also written research papers and book chapters and has presented papers at national and international conferences. Currently, he is pursuing his Ph.D. from the Maharaja Sayajirao University in Vadodara. His research topic is 'India-Spain Relations in the 21st Century: Dynamics and Prospects'. He is associated with New Delhi-based magazine, The Kootneeti Espa簽ol, as Consulting Editor and with Pune-based think tank, Tatvita-Analysts, as Country Specialist-Spain. He also offers consultation as a political risk analyst to Indian and foreign corporate entities.Dr Shekhar Ashtikar is a former post-doctoral research fellow in International Relations.. Besides, he has presented research papers in many national and state conferences. He has completed many courses on important topics related to global politics offered by many foreign universities. His research areas include India's foreign policy under the Modi government, power competition in the Indo-Pacific region, India's relations with the Indian Ocean Region, the Indo-US strategic partnership, and Indo-China relations.
The Bri and the Indo-Pacific
Two major transformations defined the global geopolitics over the last decade guided by the relative decline in US influence-announcement of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the resurgence of the Indo-Pacific as a sphere of traditional Indian influence. While China promptly used money, technology and institutions like the AIIB to gain influence amongst various countries across the globe, India as a 'Vishwa Guru' crafted its own role as an undeniable leader and partner under the paradigm of the Indo-Pacific. This volume is a preliminary effort in the direction of assessing how the world reacted to these profoundly momentous-binary yet complimentary trajectories, that will phenomenally continue to dictate and shape the future of the 21st century. Towards this objective this book looks at some case studies of the BRI as well as draws parallels from history through a study of traditional Indian and Chinese strategic thought.Bhavna Singh is the author of China's Discursive Nationalism: Contending in Softer Realms, and has co-edited a volume on India, China and Sub-regional Connectivities in South Asia. She was awarded her PhD in Chinese Nationalism from the Centre for East Asian Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi in 2021. She is currently a Senior Research Fellow (2023-2025) at the Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an in China under the CSC Language Scholarship working on Qing Dynasty trade. She previously worked as a consultant with the CCCS, MEA (2021-2023) and as an Associate Fellow with the Centre for Air Power Studies (CAPS: 2018-2020). She was a Senior Research Officer with the China Research Programme at IPCS from 2010-2013.
India and Taiwan
Charles Li, a Taiwanese career diplomat, having served in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of China (Taiwan) and overseas missions for over 38 years, he used to be the Minister in the Embassy of the in St. Lucia in the Eastern Caribbean and subsequently in Taiwan's representative office in Jakarta, Indonesia. He then assumed the post of the Director-General (Consul-General) in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. He had been Taiwan's Representative (Ambassador) to Myanmar from 2010 to 2023 before he returned to serve in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Taipei. Currently, he is the Secretary General of Taiwan's International Cooperation and Development Fund (Taiwan ICDF), the official International Development Agency of the ROC (Taiwan).He graduated from the Department of Foreign Languages and Literature, National Chung Hsing University in Taichung, Taiwan, and was awarded an MA degree from the Graduate Institute of European Studies, Tamkang University, Taipei, Taiwan. Some years later, he got a Juris Doctor degree from William Howard Taft University, California, USA and had the precious privilege to participate in a Senior Executive Fellows Program in 2014 at Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, Massachusetts, USA. He was awarded a Ph.D. degree from the University of Madras, Tamil Nadu, India in June, 2022.
Lessons and Inferences from the Characteristics of Recent Wars
During the preceding decade, the application of regular as well as irregular military power to secure the ends of political goals has expanded beyond its classical moulds. Thus, we find that the contemporary military operations are less constrained by the hoary 'rules of warfare' - targeting of the civilians and deliberate destruction of infrastructure are some examples. On the other hand, leaping advancements in military technologies have enabled the militaries to do what had been unthinkable so far.Destined to be a globally reckonable power while fixated at the crosshairs of two powerful and compulsively belligerent neighbours, India has to take due cognisance of the lessons that emerge from that situation.In this book, eminent professionals have analysed the implications of the recent trends of warfare and the possible manners of gearing up to deal with these.Lt Gen Gautam Banerjee, PVSM, AVSM, YSM (Retd.) is a former Chief of Staff, the Central Army Command and Commandant Officers' Training Academy, Chennai. Author of over a dozen books and nearly a hundred papers on military matters, the General is a senior fellow-editor at the Vivekenanda International Foundation, New Delhi.
Rethinking Climate Change, Security and Politics
The book provides a critical analysis of the nexus between climate change, security and politics, especially in relation to the role and impact of societal agencies such as states, corporations, military, financial institutions and community organizations in framing and responding to climate change using various forms of social, economic or political leverage. Climate change is a major existential security threat to the planet and humanity, yet there is continuing debate as to how it should be approached.
Between Rules of War and Rule of Law
This book examines the legitimation practices of Presidents Bush and Obama in the transformation of detention norms in the war on terror. The focus is on the conflict between the US use of force and the commitment to protective norms of legitimate force. The central question is how both presidents used legitimation to justify normative changes in detention law, especially indefinite detention. The study analyzes strategic legitimation activities in the security policy discourse in which norms of legitimate violence shift from containing it to enabling it. The approach combines IR norms research and international law with a pragmatic-abductive method. Using case studies, event analysis and speeches, it examines how Bush and Obama used legalization and justification strategies to transform norms in the Guantanamo case. The resulting patterns lead to a concept of strategic practices of legitimation to justify violence in breach with international law.
Middle East Crises
In Middle East Crises, veteran American diplomat James Jeffrey offers a compelling, first-hand account of U.S. foreign policy and crisis management in the Middle East from 2004 to 2020. Drawing on his decades-long career as a Foreign Service Officer, Jeffrey takes readers behind the scenes of some of the most consequential moments in recent Middle Eastern history.The book chronicles his service under three American presidents George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump detailing his roles in key hotspots like Iraq, Turkey, and Syria. Jeffrey provides vivid recollections of war-zone diplomacy and the balancing act of military and political leadership in the region. From the early challenges of the Iraq War to the emergence of ISIS, and the complexities of dealing with leaders like Erdogan and Putin, his narrative captures the volatile and ever-changing landscape of Middle Eastern affairs.Beyond recounting events, Jeffrey reflects on the broader principles guiding American foreign policy, the challenges of maintaining alliances, and the personal risks and sacrifices of those on the ground. His insights highlight the high stakes of Middle Eastern diplomacy and the continued necessity of American leadership in a turbulent region.Both memoir and analysis, Middle East Crises is an essential read for anyone interested in the realities of diplomacy, war, and American power in one of the world's most complex regions.
The State and Development in South Africa
This book interrogates the nexus between the state and development in post-apartheid South Africa. Highlighting current problems, and suggesting ways of consolidating state capabilities, improving public institutions and enhancing governance and development outcomes, the book will interest policymakers, practitioners, and researchers alike.
The Co-evolution of Technology and Warfare
This book explores the relationship between technology and warfare, by examining how recent technological advancements have revolutionized the conduct of war.
The Obliteration Doctrine
The Obliteration Doctrine tackles the deadliest canon of 21st century warfare. It addresses the abject devastation that this military doctrine has wrought, how it was done and those responsible. It puts the Genocide Convention's failure to punish and prevent this crime under close scrutiny. The Obliteration Doctrine combines lethal forms of warfare--scorched-earth military tactics, collective punishment and civilian victimization--with indiscriminate area bombing and counterinsurgency operations. What's new about this form of warfare is the chilling mix of artificial intelligence and genocidal atrocities in violation of international law, the very foundations of international society and all human life. This book shows how the doctrine's implementation in Gaza was facilitated by the United States, with Germany, the UK, Italy and Canada as strategic partners. While Israel pulled the trigger in Gaza, the weaponry and financial and diplomatic support came from the US-led West. Hence their complicity in the fatal carnage. The rise of this deadly doctrine has been enabled by the West's long opposition to genocide prevention, which Raphael Lemkin's quest for effective legislation failed to overcome. Fearful of its vulnerability, the West succeeded in excluding and diluting core parts of the Genocide Convention addressing colonial atrocities, cultural genocide, political killings, and ethnic cleansing. Enforcement was repressed throughout the Cold War, and the few tribunals afterward soon proved inadequate. The West undermined genocide prevention by shunning preparatory attacks, early warnings and incitement prosecution. Ex post facto justice records but doesn't preempt genocides. Stunningly, the Obliteration Doctrine was largely perfected institutionally by Israel two decades before October 7, 2023, yet the international community failed to prevent its further implementation, which its proponents openly pledged to deploy in the "next war." That said, a broad variety of legal efforts have been launched against Israel and its complicit Western allies in international and domestic courts by many activists and countries increasingly in and by the Global South. The erasure of Gaza reflects the tragic inability of the Genocide Convention to prevent the genocides it was created to identify, preempt and punish. The Obliteration Doctrine has set a horrendous precedent, providing a template for new and far worse "final solutions" to be unleashed on entire nations
Rendezvous with Rebels
Rajeev Bhattacharyya walked nearly 800 kilometres, over some of the most hostile terrain and through no man's land. His journey, which took three months and twenty days to complete, is unprecedented in Indian journalism. He visited the rebel bases in Eastern Nagaland, which covers a part of Myanmar's Sagaing Division, stayed in the ULFA camp and interviewed its chief of staff Paresh Baruah, as also chairman of the NSCN (Khaplang), S.S. Khaplang himself. He interacted with rebels from banned outfits like the NDFB, UPPK, PLA and other groups - for many of them, this was their first conversation with an Indian journalist. Bhattacharyya is one of very few journalists in the world to have made this journey, and among the fewer still to have had such intimate access.Rendezvous with Rebels is the story of that journey. It is as much a travel memoir as it is a hard-hitting political account of the fissures that mark the conflicts in India's Northeast and Myanmar's Sagaing Division. Bhattacharyya analyses the historical and current role of ULFA, NSCN and other rebel forces, and sizes up the current situation in Eastern Nagaland vis-a-vis the changes taking place in Myanmar specifically, and the subcontinent generally. It is, ultimately, an up-close examination of a very thorny conflict.
India's Military Conflicts and Diplomacy
India's armed forces have maintained national security and territorial integrity better than those of most other developing, democratic nations. The credit for these successes, however, goes less to its defence management apparatus and more to those responsible for operational planning and execution. Many a time, India has failed to convert hard-won operational achievements into long-term strategic successes. Why does that happen? In this path-breaking book, V.P. Malik looks back on his career and presents some recent examples of India's military conflicts. Among these are accounts of Operation Pawan, in which an Indian peacekeeping force was sent to Sri Lanka in 1987 with tragic results, and Operation Cactus in the Maldives, a quick commando action where India's armed forces foiled an attempted coup d'etat in less than twenty-four hours. Alongside are examples of India's military diplomacy in a range of circumstances. With a new Preface to the paperback edtion, this book will fascinate anyone who has a stake in India's national security.
Attendant Lords
Bairam Khan and his son, Abdur Rahim Khan-i-Khanan were soldiers, poets and courtiers whose lives reflected the turbulent times they lived in. In telling their stories, Attendant Lords spans the reigns of four emperors -- Babur, Humayun, Akbar and Jahangir -- and covers over a hundred years of Mughal history, a time when these two noblemen were at the very heart of the court's labyrinthine politics. After Humayun's untimely death, Bairam Khan was regent to the young Emperor Akbar for four critical years. Abdur Rahim became one of the most important generals of the Mughal Empire, but he is best remembered for his literary prowess, most particularly for his famous 'dohas'. This unusual dual biography traces the lives of these two noblemen against the backdrop of the courtly intrigues, brutal power struggles and the grand literary endeavours of the Mughal court. And it looks at their afterlives -- how politics and the Hindi-Urdu debate reincarnated them as national heroes; how both men came to be seen as standing at the confluence of Hinduism and Islam; and how history, religion and literature combine in the broader context of nationalism and nation building.
Self-Deception
What were the premises that led Pandit Nehru to ignore all warnings, suppress all evidence and mislead himself vis-a-vis China? How did Chou En-lai fool him?Are our policies today any different? Are China's moves and motives vis-a-vis India any different? How does China look at us?Till just thirty years ago, China and India were at par. How wide is the chasm that has developed since? What does it portend for the future?Has a reaction set in to China's aggressiveness? What must we do to put it to work?Vital questions. An unnerving account by ARUN SHOURIE, one of the leading voices in our public life and discourse.Contents1Bal chhutkyo bandhan padey ...12Wish as policy243'We may have deceived ourselves384The policy is set595Anxieties are brushed aside786A satisfying tutorial1087Carried away1188'Two miles this side or two miles that side'1439'You didn't even know we were building a road ... '17010Prelude20711'These are not excuses, but merely facts'24312The avalanche26013A roundabout thesisRead more
Kargil
In February 1999, Pakistani Army personnel, disguised as jihadi militants, infiltrated into mountainous Kargil and occupied key vantage points. Their intrusion triggered a limited war between the world's newest nuclear states. It was a bitter battle, and one that threw up important lessons for India's defence preparedness, as also its responses to conflicts such as this. This incisive book by General V.P. Malik, former Chief of the Army Staff, analyses the reasoning behind the Pakistani Army's moves and tactics and reviews crucial issues such as the extent of intelligence and surveillance failure on the Indian side and the measures necessary to redress these failings. Away from questions of strategy and tactics, however, Kargil is also a reminder of the unalloyed heroism that was on display during those grim weeks, heroism that become a benchmark for valour.
Combatant Experiences in Multi-Ethnic Extremist Groups
This book uses Boko Haram as a case study to delve into the operations of extremist groups in sub-Saharan Africa, with a particular focus on the unique cultural contexts in which they function.The book explores how such groups navigate ethnically diverse environments and manage to forge a sense of collective homogeneity, even in the face of internal diversity. Drawing from first-hand interviews with ex-fighters and a thorough examination of the group's operational dynamics--including recruitment, indoctrination, combat leadership, and unit behaviour--the book identifies moments when, despite Boko Haram's aim to transcend ethnic boundaries, ethnicity nonetheless becomes a defining factor within specific combatant units. It develops a theoretical framework to explain these instances, building on and extending existing socialisation theories to understand when and why socialisation processes fail, ultimately causing ethnicity to resurface within these units. By exploring how tribal and ethnic considerations influence the group's functioning, this book provides a more nuanced understanding of contemporary insurgent groups and the social forces that shape them.This book will be of much interest to students of political violence, African politics, and security studies.
Foreign Aid of Gulf States
This book explores how Gulf States' foreign aid strategies have transformed in the wake of 9/11 and the 2011 Arab Uprisings. It traces the shift from a solidarity-based model to aid increasingly driven by political and military objectives, particularly in conflict zones like Yemen, Libya, and Syria.
Commoning Labour and Democracy at Work
This book investigates the return of workers' self-management in recent decades as responses to recurring neoliberal crises. In particular, the book homes in on worker-recuperated enterprises (WREs), a promising form of workers' self-organization whereby workers restart troubled, bankrupt, or shuttered companies as cooperatives or other forms of democratic workplace.The book argues that WREs are prefigurative of new forms of work based on equality and sustainability. Framed by the concepts of autogesti籀n, the labour commons, and prefigurative ethico-political practices, the book argues that WREs contribute to the construction of more directly democratic community economies. Drawing on a range of contemporary case studies from numerous countries in the Global South and North, as well as new theories of workers' self-management, the book contributes a critical development, political economic, and class-struggle Marxist perspective to the re-emergent labour question within anti-systemic social movements, while theorizing the transformative nature of WREs for workers, work organizations, and communities.Bringing a class-analysis back into current discourses and debates concerning democracy at work and alternatives to global capital, this book will be of interest to researchers across the fields of development studies, labour studies, political economy, sociology of development, sociology of work, and political science.
Introduction to Political Psychology
This fifth edition of Introduction to Political Psychology explores the many psychological patterns that influence individual political behavior. The authors introduce readers to a broad range of theories, concepts, and case studies of political activity, arguing that individuals are driven or motivated to act in accordance with personality characteristics, values, beliefs, and attachments to groups. The book explains many aspects of political behavior--whether seemingly pathological actions or normal decision-making practices, which sometimes work optimally, and sometimes fail.Thoroughly updated throughout, the book examines patterns of political behavior in areas including leadership, group behavior, voting, race, nationalism, terrorism, and war. This edition features: Detailed coverage of political polarization, and the psychology behind it; Up-to-date topics and case studies focused on the 2024 US election, the war in Ukraine, and the Israel-Palestine conflict, as well as social movements such as climate change activism, Black Lives Matter, and #MeToo; A robust suite of timesaving support material. Accessibly written and comprehensive in scope, it is an essential companion for all graduate and upper-level undergraduate students of psychology, political science, and political psychology. It will also be of interest to those in the policy-making community, especially those looking to learn more about the extent to which perceptions, personality, and group dynamics affect the policy-making arena.
Securitisation and Islamism in Egypt and Saudi Arabia
This book provides a comparative analysis of how Egypt and Saudi Arabia have framed Islamism as a security threat to consolidate power. Using securitisation theory, it explores how both regimes systematically criminalise Islamist movements--blurring the line between political opposition and extremism--to justify sweeping authoritarian measures. It exposes the far-reaching implications of this securitisation for governance, civil liberties and human rights by examining mass incarcerations, legal restrictions and state-controlled narratives. Situating these practices within broader global security and counterterrorism discourses, the book highlights how securitisation reinforces authoritarian resilience and shapes international perceptions of political Islam. It critiques global support for repressive policies enacted under the guise of counterterrorism and advocates for inclusive governance that upholds human rights and fosters long-term stability. This book serves as a vital resource for scholars, policymakers and students seeking critical insights into the nexus of security, governance and human rights in the contemporary Middle East.
To Whom Much is Given
"To Whom Much Is Given" by Lucia True Ames Mead is a compelling exploration of social responsibility and civic duty, written at the close of the 19th century. Mead eloquently argues that those who possess greater advantages and opportunities bear a heightened responsibility to contribute to the betterment of society. She advocates for active engagement in social reform, emphasizing the importance of peace, justice, and the common good. This thought-provoking work examines the interconnectedness of individual actions and collective progress, urging readers to recognize their potential to effect positive change. Mead's insightful observations on the obligations of privilege make this book a relevant and enduring commentary on social ethics and the pursuit of a more equitable world. It offers valuable perspectives on the role of individuals in shaping a just and peaceful society, encouraging readers to consider their own contributions to the greater good.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
Three Faces of Populism in Asia
Drawing on evidence from eight Asian cases across three subregions, this volume highlights the distinctive features of Asian populism in comparison with Western experiences, shedding light on the cultural dimension of populism. A valuable resource for scholars looking at the phenomenon of populism through a comparative lens.
